Evidence for Evolution Flashcards

Flashcards about Evidence for Evolution

What is evolution?

The slow, gradual change in a species over time, typically over thousands to millions of years, though species with short reproductive rates may evolve more quickly.

According to Charles Darwin, who will inherit the world?

Those who can change.

What is structural evidence for evolution?

The examination of an organism's structures (organs, bones, etc.) to understand how species have evolved and to understand relationships between species.

What are fossils?

The remains of a once-living organism that have been preserved through natural processes.

What does embryo evidence show about distantly related species?

That they share remarkable similarities in their early development.

What are homologous structures?

Structures that share an appearance internally, but externally perform different functions.

What are analogous structures?

Structures that perform the same function, however species achieve that function differently.

What are vestigial structures?

Remnants of a once working organ or tissue that are often much smaller than they once were and provide no useful function.

What is molecular evidence for evolution?

The examination of the chemicals within organisms to understand the evolution of species over time, or the evolutionary relationship between species.

What is Amino Acid Sequencing and what does it determine using molecular evidence?

Scientists compare the amino acid sequences of proteins to help determine evolutionary relationships among species.

How is DNA sequencing used to study evolution?

DNA sequences between species are analyzed and compared to determine evolutionary relationships.

How is gel electrophoresis used in the study of evolution?

DNA is analyzed and compared among species using gel electrophoresis to produce a DNA fingerprint, and the banding patterns are compared to determine evolutionary relationships.

How definitive is molecular evidence in determining evolutionary relationships?

Molecular evidence is definitive, giving scientists a quantitative value of evolutionary relationships.

How definitive is structural evidence in determining evolutionary relationships?

Structural evidence is helpful, but not definitive.